May 23rd - Local Resident Receives Scouting’s Highest Honor for Service

Local Resident Receives
Scouting’s Highest Honor for Service

Dr.
Harold Friend to be honored for lifelong commitment to Scouting

San Diego, CA – May 23, 2008 — By merging the Boy Scouts of
America and Rotary International missions, Dr. Harold Friend significantly
impacted thousands of youth worldwide. For his decades of service, the BSA National
Council will honor him with the Silver Buffalo Award at its Annual Meeting in San Diego on May 23.

The
Silver Buffalo Award, Scouting’s highest commendation for service to youth, has
been awarded annually since 1925 to civic-minded men and women who stand out
for their invaluable contributions and service to the youth of America.

As a Scouter and
Rotarian, Friend has strengthened the historic ties between the two service
organizations while advocating for Scouting and youth around the world. From
1999 to 2002, Friend led the International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians,
which mobilizes support for Scouting in dozens of countries.

He also has
presided over the Interamerican Scout Foundation, served on the BSA’s
International Committee and chaired the Direct Service Committee. He is a
member of the National Advisory Board.

A Distinguished
Eagle Scout, Friend has received the Air Explorer Silver, Silver Beaver and Silver
Antelope awards and is a member of the Order of the Arrow.

“Not only is Harold a distinguished Scout
himself, but he also has dedicated his life to serving youth around the world,”
said Bob Mazzuca, Chief Scout Executive. “The Boy Scouts of America is proud to
recognize his decades of service through both our organization and Rotary
International.”

Beyond his Scouting
involvement, Friend’s many activities in Rotary International include service
as club president, district governor, and chairman of the International
Fellowship of Running and Fitness Rotarians. In that position, he helped
sponsor construction of a fitness park in Pune, India; after-school
fitness activities in five Asian countries; and numerous racing events to raise
money for children’s organizations.

A board-certified
neurologist, Friend is clinical director for neuroscience and neurobehavior at
Florida Atlantic University College of Biomedical Sciences and an adjunct
professor of biomedical science. Friend and his wife, Karenanne, have two
children.

About
the Boy Scouts of America

Serving
more than 4.6 million youth between the ages of 7 and 20, with more than 300
councils throughout the United
States and its territories,
the BSA is the nation's foremost youth program of character development and values-based
leadership training. The Scouting movement is composed of 1.2 million
volunteers, whose dedication of time and resources has enabled the BSA to
remain the nation's leading youth-service organization. For more information on
the BSA, please visit www.scouting.org.